Monday, March 06, 2006

Britt's First Month Report

Well, I have been here one month. Things are going well. I have been very, very busy. People keep asking me "are you bored?" I have not been bored yet.

My mother says it is time for me to share my thoughts.

I've been busy, more like consumed, with school - hoping to finish the tenth grade before I perish.

Other than school, I've been maintaining the medical side of things here, trying my best to do what I can. Mainly, I've seen cuts, all almost identical as far as how they look and amount of bleeding, which I find interesting. Yesterday I had my first burn victim.

My mom did not mention, but the day I made the 32 pancakes I managed to burn not only two pancakes but also two fingers. At the time, I was not the least bit pleased. Not knowing then that my burn would be able to help with identifying and helping this burn. (How's that for linking?) I am now very thankful I attained the burn on my finger. It helped me figure out what was going on with the boy who came yesterday with a toe three times the size it should be. He will keep coming, but I think he's on the way to a full recovery. He came and I asked (in my novice Creole way) if he had shoes. He said no. I figured, okay, he's either lying and very smart to not be wearing the shoes he actually does have, OR he really doesn't have shoes. Either way, I had in my mind a pair of simple (purple) flip flops that I got last year and have yet to wear. So, I gave them to him, not knowing if he would still be wearing them when he came back the next day. There he was today with the same flip flops from yesterday. He also asked for a ball, but lots of kids ask for things; so I answered as I usually do with a quick "pa gen- naway deme" (don't have one, see ya tomorrow).

It is an interesting concept to have nothing but value nothing as well. A wise woman once theorized that maybe they don't value anything because they never learned how. I think she's onto something. It's sad but it's reality and as I've been doing, you just gotta deal.

If I let myself get upset about reality and the babies that are constantly (and I don't exaggerate, it is pretty much all day) crying outside my window, (probably from hunger or neglect) and the sadness and deterioration all around me, I don't think I'd have a minute of peace in my mind.

The need is great. I do what I can each day. God's in charge. I just try to let go and live with limited feelings of sadness and crying in response to the poverty all around us.

Here is what I like about Haiti:I like most things that have come with Haiti. And I mean that. I like the responsibility of taking care of the local minor medical needs. I like the weather (so far). I love the watermelon and peanut brittle and also Pepsi (it tastes different because I never liked Pepsi in the US). My favorite part so far is trying to talk with the people, mainly the employees. I like how each day is an adventure (like Hope says) and you never know who will show up. Today I started helping Jean Leon, the school director, (mentioned in a previous post where my dad lost him at the market) with his English. I had thought that the English lessons would maybe be a Creole lesson for me too, but so far not at all because he talks SO fast! I will hopefully get it through to him when we meet again on Wednesday that I am not Haitian and cannot speak or understand Creole at such rapid speeds.What else? I love Peanut. I'm really glad we were able to get her. Potty training is successful 85% of the time. She definitely re-kindled the love I had lost for animals, as a direct result of owning Livesay 1.0 and 2.0. (and 3.0 as well.) We are in it for the long-haul with her. Of this I am sure.

This is what is difficult about living here:Sharing your space. Not drinking milk. Not eating pizza. Trying not to cry when a biting/flying ant attacks me in the shower. Realizing that you can't do it all, sometimes you cannot even do a little.

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Who we are...

To Reach Us: Livesayfamily@gmail.com - We live, learn, love, & work and sometimes go slowly crazy in Port au Prince, Haiti. In the 13+ years we've been here, one thing we've learned: God is not made manifest in our ability to "fix" or heal, but in our need to be healed. Recognizing this weakness leaves us in a position of having little to offer. It reveals our own need to be restored to wholeness. We are not fixers of people or countries or things. We are here trying to extend empathy, love and grace to others, the way it has been extended to us.

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships - so that we may live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people - so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war - so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world - so that we can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor. Amen. (Franciscan Benediction)

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